Approve and implement SB-256 for bonus tax exempt increase

A. The P30,000 ceiling was fIrst introduced in 1994 upon the effectivity of Republic Act No. 7833. At that time, the lowest monthly basic salary for government employees (Salary Grade 1, Step I) was P2,800 and that ofthe President of the Philippines (Salary Grade 33) was at P25,000.

At present, the basic salaries have been adjusted such that SG-I Step I now stands at P9,000 and SG-33 is at PI20,000. While there have been increases in the legislated pay scale of private and government personnel, the P30,000 cap for the income tax exemption of the 13th month pay and Christmas bonuses have remained the same. This amount no longer mirrors prevailing circumstances.

B. Furthermore, the bill also provides that the ceiling of P75,000 shall be adjusted to its present value using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as published by the National Statistics OffIce (NSO), three years after the measure's effectivity and every three years thereafter.

If you agree with my point and need this tax relief, do join me in this effort to gather critical mass and:

Sign the online petition at change.org. It's my first time making an onlin petition so, you know, have mercy.

Email the Senate President Franklin Drilon directly that you want this change implemented.

Email other senators about it using the information on the Philippine Senate website contact page.

Sharing the online petition with your friends and get them to sign it.